The next great civil rights battle?

April 9th, 2013 · 58 comments

Our submitter in New Zealand, if forced to make a wild guess, says this missive “is probably from the woman across the hallway who stood in the middle of the floor last week and asked loudly, three times, ‘Who took my peanut butter from the fridge? Who?’” and then slunk back to her desk muttering under her breath.”

Did you know that we live in an enlightened society...Women have the vote - hard to believe, but, yes, its true! Same sex marriage/civil union - is alive and well. We can, if we wish, leave our peanut butter in the fridge at work (well - you should be able to!) That the premise of 'respect for all' is a given... It takes 5 minutes longer to put your dish in the dishwasher - please give it a go

related: A sticky situation

FILED UNDER: New Zealand · office · peanut butter


58 responses so far ↓

  • #1   nunavut guy

    5 minutes to put a dish in the dishwasher?Holy limping side kick batman.

    Apr 9, 2013 at 11:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #1.1   Ash

      Having never been to New Zealand, I can only assume based on this note that they either have some crazy complicated dishwashers, or time runs differently over there.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 8:46 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.2   Pit Pat

      Omg, that cracked me up. I can’t stop picturing someone loading the dishwasher in slo-mo.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:08 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.3   Raichu

      MTE.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 5:50 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #1.4   TheGnome

      They’re Sims.

      Apr 17, 2013 at 6:03 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #2   Finnibuns

    What does putting your dishes in the dishwasher have to do with taking peanut butter from the fridge?

    Apr 9, 2013 at 11:38 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #2.1   NoAdditives

      What does any of it have to do with anything?

      Apr 9, 2013 at 11:44 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #2.2   AuntyBron

      I suspect she was taking the opportunity to air several grievances.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 7:04 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #2.3   MamaPajama

      But it’s not even Festivus yet!

      Apr 12, 2013 at 11:34 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #3   Olivia

    This woman needs therapy

    Apr 9, 2013 at 11:47 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #3.1   Lythande bang

      And a critical-thinking-and-writing class. Her point is muddled, which forces her to reclaim the lost impact with caps and excessive ellipses. 3/10

      Apr 9, 2013 at 11:55 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #4   KirBee

    Only one argument per passive-aggressive note allowed.

    Apr 9, 2013 at 11:49 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #5   Laura

    Why did she have peanut butter in the fridge in the first place? Most peanut butter is shelf-stable, which means she could have kept it locked in her desk.

    Apr 9, 2013 at 11:51 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #5.1   Jami

      Not all though. There’s this one from Trader Joe’s that you have to keep in the fridge plus stir it before each use cause all this oil will separate and sit on top. So maybe she buys the fancy “healthy” peanut butter.

      Apr 9, 2013 at 11:56 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.2   Lythande bang

      I agree. Cold peanut butter just sounds unpleasant.

      Apr 9, 2013 at 11:58 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.3   moz

      Summer in New Zealand, too hot, peanut butter melts!

      Apr 10, 2013 at 3:03 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.4   PITA

      I feel compelled to point out that we are discussing a person who takes 5 minutes to put a dish (just one) in the dishwasher…

      Maybe that time includes note writing?

      Apr 10, 2013 at 3:21 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.5   Pit Pat

      Lol about the “fancy” peanut butter. It’s not just “this one” from TJs. Many stores sell natural peanut butters, and yes you have to keep them in the fridge so they don’t separate. I prefer them b/c they are not loaded with sugar, so they actually taste like peanuts. I usually buy the Smuckers brand. At the fancy store.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:11 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.6   Jami

      Well, I only know about the TJs one cause I’m a Skippy girl. Mostly cause you can get a two pack at CostCo.

      The point is, some peanut butters do have to be put in the fridge.

      And maybe the 5 minutes includes rinsing your dish first in the sink?

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:31 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.7   The Elf

      I’m a “fancy” peanut butter girl. (Fancy in this case meaning that the ingredients are just peanuts and salt, none of that added sugar crap, so it tastes like peanuts and not a peanut-flavored dessert.) Yeah, you have to refrigerate it. And cold peanut butter doesn’t spread well. So you nuke it for a few seconds, which warms it up enough to spread but not cause separation.

      It won’t spoil if you keep it room temp, it just separates.

      Problem solved.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 12:36 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.8   jazzgirl205

      Why does the fancy pnut butter separate? I make my own and it never separates. It even has a shelf life.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 1:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.9   Jami

      Cause they come that way. If it’s prestirred sometimes it doesn’t separate.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 1:53 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.10   Michele N.

      @The Elf: Lady, I “see” you all over the place. :-) Your name reminds me of an Internet friend I had, like, ten years ago and it always makes me smile. I’ll stop being weird and go away now!

      Apr 10, 2013 at 4:00 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.11   Raichu

      I never had to stir the TJ peanut butter “every time”. It is kind of a pain to stir it the first time, though.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 5:52 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #5.12   L

      I put peanut butter in the fridge in summer ’cause I don’t eat it that often and it goes wonky. The last jar, the expiration date was like… late 2012. And I just replaced it about a month ago. I really don’t eat it that often XD

      Apr 10, 2013 at 7:28 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #6   Falyne

    (I mean, diagnosing people over the interwebs isn’t a good thing to do, but if I were in her life and saw that note, I’d try and get her help…) :-/

    Apr 10, 2013 at 1:10 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #7   DS

    Gr I absolutely can’t stand it when people put stuff in the fridge unnecessarily. Peanut butter, onions, orange squash. They go in the cupboard for ****’s sake.

    Apr 10, 2013 at 4:55 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #7.1   Doublemint

      Raw peanut butter made fresh with no preservatives does need refrigeration after opening. Not like Jif or Skippy. Or maybe the owner of said peanut butter just prefers it cold. Not sure why people get their panties in a twist because someone prefers something different….

      Apr 10, 2013 at 5:51 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.2   H for Toy

      I just bought a bottle of Tapatio yesterday. I plan to store it in the fridge.

      Although, same-sex marriage is not yet legal in my state. I don’t know if that will change where I decide to store my hot sauce.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 7:21 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.3   Jenna

      Ketchup too. My family needs to stop putting my ketchup in the fridge.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 8:02 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.4   Jeanette

      Ketchup goes in the fridge. Of course, my state has gay marriage so this could be why.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 8:06 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.5   Pit Pat

      My state is working on gay marriage. I hope they decide soon so I can settle on a place to store my sesame oil.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:15 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.6   Tom

      There’s this notion called looking at the label, and if it says “refrigerate after opening” then you’re supposed to refrigerate it.

      And personal preference means I put the peanut butter cups in the fridge too for double delicious. Unless it says otherwise, the fridge is free game for whatever you want.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:27 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.7   pooham

      The refrigerator is a good place to put things that are easily lost or that you need to remember to bring with you the next day. In mine you may occasionally find the remote, car keys, eye glasses, roach spray, anti-freeze, deodorant and toilet paper.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 12:09 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.8   H for Toy

      My ketchup bottle instructs me to refrigerate after opening (yes, I went and checked).

      Pooham, I especially like the idea of anti-freeze in the fridge.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 12:28 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.9   Pit Pat

      My sesame oil bottle says to refrigerate it, but my personal preference is to keep it out so it stays in liquid form. That’s why I need IL’s governing body to decide on marriage equality.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 2:47 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.10   Risha

      I’m pretty flexible on cupboad-versus-fridge for ketchup (though personally, a fridge girl). But please do not keep your opened mayo in the cupboard, or I will gag and will never eat at your house ever again.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 11:30 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.11   Jo

      Live in a cold climate DS? I live in Australia and pretty much everything goes in the fridge except things like rice or pasta.

      Apr 11, 2013 at 12:15 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #7.12   lea

      I live in Australia too and I’m a tomato sauce, onions, potatoes, pumpkin and peanut butter (and vegemite) in the cupboard kinda gal.

      To make matters worse, I’m also a microbiologist so should probably know better.

      Although, we don’t have gay marriage so I’m not sure it matters what I do with my condiments and the like.

      Apr 12, 2013 at 1:40 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #8   khaughey

    “Women have the vote” for what? To keep the PB in the fridge? Skattered at best this person is….

    Apr 10, 2013 at 8:02 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #8.1   it's naptime

      I vote for room temperature ketchup and peanut butter and ice cold peanut butter cups and pickles.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 1:40 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #9   Dane Zeller

    I bought a small jar of Skippy peanut butter, used it one time to make a sandwich, and then left it out of the refrigerator. During the time it took for my freshly painted house to need another coat, my new cement driveway to need patching, and the Kansas City Royals to win a home baseball opener, the jar of Skippy stood ready to make a delicious second sandwich.

    Apr 10, 2013 at 9:21 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #9.1   Pit Pat

      All hail the power of preservatives!

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:13 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #9.2   it's naptime

      There is a line in one of the Leandros brothers books about knowing it’s time to go food shopping when the peanut butter is crunchy even though you bought the smooth kind. Made me laugh.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 1:43 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #10   Ace of Space

    Just to fuck with her head, I would put the peanut butter in the dishwasher.

    Apr 10, 2013 at 10:03 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #10.1   H for Toy

      That would make about as much sense as this note, but be infinitely funnier!

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:53 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #10.2   Ace of Space

      My goal in life is to make as little sense as possible.

      Apr 11, 2013 at 11:19 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #11   HyperionCT

    I buy “natural” /”fancy” peanut butter and NO, you most certainly do not HAVE to refrigerate it. If it separates, I stir it. I understand it is all a matter of personal taste and preference, but I think cold peanut butter is disgusting!

    Apr 10, 2013 at 2:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #11.1   Jeanette

      My Dad bought this when I was a kid, and not only stored it in the fridge, but UPSIDE-DOWN! He said it was easier to mix the oil if it separated when it was on the bottom of the jar.

      Apr 10, 2013 at 10:58 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
    • #11.2   H for Toy

      My grandfather did the same thing with sour cream, for the same reason. I tried it once. I just ended up making a mess. Probably should have turned it right side up before opening it?

      Apr 11, 2013 at 9:15 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #12   AP

    It sounds like this letter should have been posted to HR, instead of PAN.

    This is a special kind of crazy. I can’t imagine what it’s like to work with someone like this.

    Apr 10, 2013 at 2:57 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #13   Escapist83

    Who are all these crazy people not refrigerating their ketchup? We’ll never get marriage equality at this rate.

    Apr 10, 2013 at 6:37 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #14   fiona

    Curiously the poster (peanut butter lady i presume) actually updated the note a couple of days ago (it’s in a work kitchen). No, not to finally show the connection between how women getting the vote and putting your dishes away after using them – but to change ’5 minutes’ to ’5 seconds’.

    Apr 11, 2013 at 4:33 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     
  • #15   Paula K

    I keep the rice in the fridge. Have to. We used to have birds & the damn little grain moths never totally go away. I really don’t like my rice-or flour-to be moving.

    Apr 12, 2013 at 11:52 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #15.1   The Elf

      I like the extra protein.

      Apr 12, 2013 at 5:51 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #16   Lena

    Sign writer doesn’t pay much attention to politics, cos same sex marriage isn’t legal here (until tonight, hopefully)

    Apr 17, 2013 at 1:31 am   rating: 90  small thumbs up

    • #16.1   Jen

      Congrats New Zealand. Now if only Australia could catch up…

      Apr 17, 2013 at 12:27 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

       
     
  • #17   DTT

    Would just like to point out that up until last night gay marriage was not legal here in NZ. SO her note is wrong :). We do have civil union but thanks to the bill being passed, we all have equal rights here to marry who we love.

    Apr 18, 2013 at 2:36 pm   rating: 90  small thumbs up

     

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